Chapter 164 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 94 the following section:-

Section 94A. (a) For the purposes of this section, the term seasonal rate increase shall mean any upward adjustment to any rates or charges by a gas company and approved by the department pursuant to section 94; provided, however, that this section shall not supersede the requirements of said section 94.

No seasonal rate increase shall be made in the rates or charges which have been filed and published by a gas company pursuant to this chapter, except upon approval by the department and after 30 days’ notice to the department and to the public published pursuant to this section, which shall plainly state the changes proposed to be made in the schedule then in force, and the time when the changed rates or charges will go into effect.

Whenever the department receives notice of any seasonal rate increase to be made in any schedule filed under this chapter by a gas company, the department shall hold a public hearing first and make investigation as to the propriety of the proposed change or changes. After notice of any investigation, the department shall have power to suspend the taking effect of the change or changes pending the decision of the department. Each hearing and investigation shall be conducted as expeditiously as may be practicable, and with a minimum of delay.

Within 90 days after the completion of the last hearing, the department shall make such order in reference to any proposed seasonal rate increase as may be proper; provided, that if the department makes an upward adjustment to any current or prior rates or charges by a gas company, the department shall periodically hold a public hearing and make investigation as to the continued propriety of seasonal rates charged by a gas company and shall make such order in reference to the rate or charge as may be just.

(b) Upon receipt from a gas company of a notice of any seasonal rate increase proposed to be made pursuant to subsection (a), the department shall give notice as it may prescribe of the pendency of the proposal and of the time and place of the hearing thereon to the chief executive officer of any city or town affected by such proposed seasonal rate increase. The department shall also publish a notice of the hearing at least 10 days prior to the date thereof in a newspaper of general circulation in each such city or town. The department, upon request of the chief executive officer of any such city or town, shall hold a public hearing on the matter within each such town or city; provided; however, that the requesting city or town shall provide suitable accommodation for the public hearing.